Nkebjle valve



Dec. 3, 1940. c IB. MCAULAY NEEDLE VALVE Filed NOV. 12, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l M Q K w. m M A E Q m. me M WM m I T 5 WA m W W M o c W 9 mm om L mm. d. mv \W .WV \m.\ Nm. QW um N .www vm. IN, .m.\ QM. HII www, .wm .u MQ l- Ell. INV NNI.. H No. uw NN .www mm.

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C. B. MCAULAY NEEDLE VALVE Dec. 3, 1940.

Patented Dec. 3, 1940 NEEDLE VALVE `Chester B. McAulamPalo Alto, Calif., assigner to Joshua Hendy Iron Works, a corporation of California Application November l2, 1937, Serial No. 174,166

l!) Claims.

This invention relates generally to pressure activated control valves and more particularly to a valve construction of the needle or plunger type which is adapted for positive pressure fluid vcontrol.

In this type of Valve, trouble has been caused by the plunger or needle sticking, particularly in open position. As the needle approaches the closed position in many of the previous structures, it extends beyond and overhangs its supports and `guides to such an extent that there is always present the tendency to jam or` Cock. Frequently the castings are finished only on one side and adequate ribbing is omitted to reduce the manufacturing expense, so that the needle gradually changes shape through warping and tends to stick.v Unless the plunger or needle is properly supported at all times-in the closed, in the open, and in the intermediate positions-it may sag out of line and jam with consequent losses and expense to make it operative again. The problems though easily recognizable, have resisted solution in a practicable economical way.

Another problem in the successful operation of valves oi this type is preventing the needle from slamming against its seat. Aslamming is the sudden movement of the needle towards its seat near the end of its stroke. This wears out the valve seat and induces dangerous pressure rises in the pipe line upstream of the valve. Some of this diiiculty is caused by the accumulation of air or gas in the operating chambers ywithin the Valve assembly. Part is due to pressure changes which are external of the valve assembly. As

the needle approaches the closed position and the hydraulic pressure on the downstream face of the needle is reduced if there is no corresponding reduction of pressure on the inside face of the needle, there is a very marked tendency for the plunger to seat suddenly.

In the attempts to eliminate slamming the prior art shows valves with a multiplicity of tandem control chambers. This arrangement alone however will not accomplish the objects here solved and overcome the problems met in actual operation.

Another source of operating trouble is directly attributable to the accumulation of air or gases within these several operating chambers of the valve assembly. When the liquid used to supply pressure for actuating the valve, is run into the Various chambers, there is a tendency for the air or gas contained therein to separate from the liquid and accumulate within the chambers. Gases being compressible will, if allowed to acof pressure changes.

releasing means.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a construction with a plurality of operating chambers but which at the same time will provide for the automatic exhausting of air and gases in the chambers.

It is therefore another object of the present invention to produce a Valve construction which will prevent the sudden acceleration of the needle towards its seat. another object is to form a valve in which twisting, warping, cooking, and jamming of the needle are eliminated.

Still It is another object of the present invention to provide for the release of said gases, which naturally rise, through the liquid control ports without the addition of nozzles or any other sort of .25 device or specialized equipment. K,

A further object is to provide a valve of the plunger or needle type which will respond positively and accurately to pressure iiuid and which will follow closely any adjustment in the setting of the valve control element.

1t is also an object and feature of the present invention to provide a balanced action and Secure responsive, accurate control.

Still further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly, and having such further advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear, and which are inherently possessed thereby.A

The invention'xiurther resides in the `combination and construction, and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying two sheets 'of drawings and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that 45 the same is capable of and susceptible to modification and change and ycomprehends other details and constructions without departingvfrom the spirit of the invention or its scope.

Referring now to the drawings:

Fig.` 1 is a view of a needle valve partly in elevation and partly in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a detail of afluid port.

Fig. 1.

I'Iof VVouter bearing sleeve 3|.

Fig. 4 is a View of the control ports taken on n the line IV--IV in Fig. 1 and looking in the housing is preferably made in two parts I I andV I2*v for ease in assembly and so that internal operating members may be reached for repair or replacement without tearing'down the entire valve. The rearward or upstream portion I I of the valve housing narrows or decreases in diameter .to that of the conduit or pipe line `(not shown) conveying the liquid to the valve so that it may be secured thereto by means of the annular flange I3 provided on the valve housing. To this rearwardly extending portion of the valve housing I I, but on *theY interior thereof is attached a smaller concentric cylindrical member I4 by means of a plurality of radial webs or ribs I5 and I5a. With this inner cylindrical member I4 concentrically rheld and spaced within the outer housing, an anlnular fluid passage I6 is formed therebetween.

The forward portion of the valve housing I2 is joined to the rearward portion in any convenient fmanner and is progressively reduced in section,

the diameter conforming in shape to and providing a seat for the needle I1 of the valve assembly.

Thepdown str-eam terminus of the housing member I2 is likewise provided with an annular flange I3 adapted for attachment to a discharge conduit or pipe line or to a discharge seat retaining ring rannular fluid passage I6 already described, by 'the forwardV outer housing member I2, the conical concentric casing 2I and the needle I1. The in- `ner surface of annular casing 2I is reinforced to `form an extended bearing surface 22 alo-ng which thev cylindrical bearing surface 23 of the needle I1 travels in the movement of opening and closing for regulating the amount of iiow through the valve. lThe downstream portions of the webs or Yribs are faced with bearing surfaces 24 (see Fig. 5), which are substantially continuations of thebearing surface 22 and keep the cylindrical portion 25 of the needle I1 and its bearing surface 23 in proper alignment, at all times, with requisite support as it travels from open to closed position and vice versa. In this manner the twisting or cooking of the needle I1 is entirely eliminated.

As in all valves of this type there are provided replaceable contact rings 23 and 21 at the seating where wear is likely to take place.

Attached in any suitable manner to the plunger or needle I1 is an inner hollow cylindrical member 3Ilprovided for a portion of its length with Attached to the upstream end of this hollow tubular member is a closure member 32 provided with openings 33 and adisk-like piston head member 34. All of these being attached, move in unison in response to pressure exerted particularly on either side of the piston head 34. Y The outer perimeter of the piston head 34 is provided with a bearing surface 35 which travels along the bearing of the inner surface 36 of the member I4. Toward the downstream portion of the hollow cylindrical member there is a port 31 providing free communication between chambers X and Z through the member 30 and via ports 33.

The conical head I 4 of the upstream portion of the valve assembly is formed in two parts with a cap portion which is joined flush on the outer surface with the conical portion I4. 'Ihe cap portion 40 is provided with inwardly converging struts or webs 4I to support the shaft 42 and the housing 43 for the pinion 44 and rack 45. The rack 45 is mounted on the closure portion 32 of the hollowrcylindrical member 30 and is moved in a'horizontal plane by the movement of the cylindrical member 30 thus bringing about a rota- Vtion of the shaft 42 directly and positive with respect to the position of the needle.

It will thus be seen that inl the valve assembly there are three tandem chambers provided. One is provided by the enclosure o-f the conical end cap portion 40, the piston head 34 and the closure member 32. This chamber will hereinafter be referred vto as pressure chamber X. The only portions within this chamber which move in response to pressure are piston head 34, closure member 32 and rack 45, although, as will be explained subsequently, a like pressure is applied against the inner surfaces of 25a. and I1 both of which move as a unit and in unison.

The second chamber is'enclosed between the piston head 34, the bearing surface 36 of the cylindrical member I4, the stationary diaphragm 41, which is rigidly secured to member 2jI and ultimately also to member I4, and bearing surface 3|. This chamber will hereinafter be referred to as pressure chamber Y. The only portion moving in this chamber in response to pressure is the piston head 34.

A'third chamber is enclosed between the stationary diaphragm 41 and the inner surface' of the needle I1 and 25a. By means of the ports 33 and 31 and the hollow cylindrical member 30 the pressure chambers X and Z are in constant intercommunicationV and the pressure of the two chambers is equalized at all times. Since the communication is such that fluid may readily p-ass between chambers X and Z the piston'head 34, the closure 32, the tubular member 30 and the needle I1, including its portions 25 and 25a, whenever the valve assembly is actuated inthe normal operation of the valve, the'pressure operates in both chambers at the same time.

The stationary diaphragm 41 has a reinforced concentric opening therein provided with a beary ing surface 48 against which slides the bearing surface 3I of the hollow cylindrical member 30 in the normal operation of the valve.

Chamber X is connected at its top portion through the wall of the conical portion of member I4 by port 50 and through rib I5a and outer member II by means of passageway 54 and port 5I to the control means. This passage to the control means does not communicate with but passes through the annular fluid passage I6 and is noncommunicating with respect to any other portion of the Valve assembly except that chamber X is in communication with chamber Z. Chamber Y Y is in separate communication with the control means through the aperture 52 in the inner cy.

lindrical member I4 and through the outer rearward housing by reason of passageway 55 through y rib I5a and port 53. There are similar triangular lthe intercommunication between the two chamcating with respect to the flow of squid through the annular passage I6 as well as any other portion of the valve assembly. The. completeA separation of passageways 54 and 55 permits the introduction of liquid into either chamber X or Y at the same time atmospheric pressure is being introduced into the other, or liquid flow may be maintained in both chambers X and Y at the same time. Thus pressure conditions are established within the valve assembly but it is obvious that the movable cylindrical member 30 and the piston 34 move as a unit with the needle in response to variation of the pressure conditions.

In operation, the control of liquid in the conduit or pipe line is eiected by the movement and positioning of the needle of the valve assembly which is actuated by controlling pressures Within the chambers X, Y, and Z. Where equal fluid pressure is maintained within the chambers X, Y, Z, there will be the tendency for the movable needle I'I, the cylindrical member 30 and the piston 3d to travel to the right hand toward the seat 21 because of the piston 34 being in hydraulic lbalance and the needle I'I being out of hydraulic balance. However as long as the fluid cannot escape from chamber Y pressure will be increased in this chamber to establish a balanced condition so that needle I'I cannot travel. Further with fluid ilowing through the annular passage I6 there will be some pressure within this passage exerted on the outer surface of the needle I'I to counteract the internal pressure.

When fluid pressure is maintained within chambers X and Z and reduced pressure is maintained within chamber Y the needle I'I will travel to the right, overcoming any pressure exerted in the annular passage I6, due tothe area of the piston 34 being greater than the exposed external surface of the needle I'I. Travel will continue to the right just as longas the pressure in chamber Y is less than that in chambers X and. Z with allowance for the external pressure from the ilow from passage I6.

When fluid pressure is maintained in chamber Y and reduced pressure is maintained in chambers X and Z and the movable needle I'I, the cylindrical member 3!) and piston head 34 will move to the left or away from the seat 21 into the open position.

With the forces available it is possible to secure a delicate adjustment an-d control to open, to close, or to hold the needle in any intermediate position by controlling the relative pressures in chambers X, Y, and Z.

In eliminating the slamming of the needle to the valve seat when nearing the closed position, there are provided a plurality of ports 52 which are substantially triangular in plan, which is best seen in Fig. 2, the apex pointing toward the needle seat. The ports 52 are so positioned that as the cylindrical bearing surface 35 of the piston 34 travels to closed position it will gradually close the ports 52 but owing to the triangular shape of the ports the area is rapidly diminished and effects a throttling of the pressure uid discharged from chamber Y and so materially reduces the closing speed.

It should further be noted that chamber Z is not required to control the movement of the valve. However, it is not practicable to eliminate this chamber and therefore it becomes necessary to provide means to discharge the fluid when the needle I'I moves into open position. The dis'- charge and entry provided is through chamber X,

port 33, tubular member 3B and port 31, which is bers and. permits chamber Z to. respond only in connection With and through chamber X. Y

To prevent the -accumulation of air and gases in chamber Z a small hole 56 directed downstream at an angle passes entirely through the conical casing 2I venting the chamber. -Ports'5Il and 52 being at thetop of the chambers X and Y respectively, release any air or gases which may be given' off from the pressure fluid and will automatically vent through these ports and be discharged tothe atmosphere through the apertures 5I and 53 and the control elements, which may be, for eX- ample, similar to those shown in Kinzie Patent 1,998,458. Any equivalent control meansl may, of course, be used.

It will be seen that the movement of the needle in the opening and closing operation at all times nds proper rear support and guidance by means of piston 34. This is also true with respect to the movable portion bearing against the member 2|. These two bearing points are located at a suiiicient distance apart to accomplish the result and are also located a sulcient distance away from the axis to adequately guide the needle movement despite the terric weights and pressures encountered in the normal operation. All this is in addition to the rib guides 24.

Although the operation has been described and illustrated with respect to a needle valve of the type constructed for free discharge into the atmosphere of the liquid passing through, it should be understood that the principles of this invention may be used where the liquid passing through the valve discharges into a closed conduit or pipe line whether of the same diameter or smaller than that of the inlet conduit or pipe line. It is likewise to be understood that even though the description of the mechanism and operation herein indicates a ilow through the valve from left to right in Fig. l that the flow through the valve may -be in either direction.

I claim:

l. A pressure operated valve comprising a valve housing and a concentrically spaced valve assembly including a xed capped cylindrical member, a movable needle adapted for sliding movement within said cylindrical member, guides extending the full length of the needle stroke, a piston substantially greater in diameter than sai-d needle positioned at the end of said cylindrical member opposite to -said needle and adapted for movement within said cylindrical member, a ijlxed diaphragm spaced intermediate the piston and the needle, an axial tubular member joining said piston and said needle whereby all move as a single unit, the capped cylindrical member and the movable piston deilning one end chamber, the needle and the xed diaphragm defining the other endV chamber and said piston `and said diaphragm dening a central chamber non-communicating with respect to said end chambers, ports in said tubular member through which said end chamber dei-ined by said needle and xed diaphragm may receive pressure for actuating the valve, the closing movement being obtained by admitting pressure huid to the end chambers which communicate freely by means of sai-d movable ported tubular member and decreasing the pressure in the noncommunicating central chamber, and the opening movement being obtained in a vice versa manner.

2. A pressure operated valve comprising a valve housing and a concentrically spaced valve assembly including a fixed capped cylindrical member, a movable pointed needle adapted for sliding kneedle positioned opposite the pointed end thereof and adapted for movement within said cylindrical member, a fixed diaphragm spaced intermediate the piston and the needle, an axial tubular member joining said piston and said needle whereby all move as a single unit, the 'capped end and the movable piston dening one end chamber, the needle and the fixed diaphragm defining the other end chamber and sai-d piston and said diaphragm defining a central chamber, ports formed in said tubular member opening into each of said end chambers, continuous means for escapement of air or gas from each of said chambers, said chambers being adapted toreceive pressure for actuating the valve, the closing movement being obtained by admitting pressure fluid to the end chambers which communicate freely Iby means of s-aid movable ported tubular member and decreasing the pressure in the noncommunicating central chamber and the opening movement being obtained in a vice versa manner.

3. A pressure operated valve comprising a valve housing and a concentrically spaced valve assembly including a fixed capped cylindrical member, a movable pointed needle adapted for sliding movement within said cylindrical member, guides extending the full length of the needle stroke, a piston substantially greater in diameter than said needle positioned opposite the pointed end thereof and adapted for movement within said cylindrical member, a fixed diaphragm spaced intermediate the p-iston and the needle, an axial tubular member joining said piston and said needle whereby all move as a single unit, the capped member and the movable piston defining one end chamber, the needle and the xed diaphragm defining another end chamber, and said piston and said diaphragm dening a central chamber non-communicating with respect to said end chambers, ports communicating said end chambers formed in said tubular member, continuous means for escapement oi air or gas from each of said chambers, said means associated with the central chamber adapted to be substantially reduced in area by said piston as it approaches closed position, the closing movement being obtained by admitting pressure uuid to the end chambers vwhich communicate freely by means of said movable tubular member and decreasing the pressure in said central'chamber, and the opening movement being obtained in a vice versa manner.4

4. A pressure operated valve comprising a valve housing and a concentrically spaced valve assembly including a fixed capped cylindrical member, a movable pointed needle adapted for telescopic movement within said cylindrical member, guides extending the full length of the needle stroke, a piston substantially greater in diameter than said needle positioned opposite the pointed end thereof and adapted for movement within said cylindrical member, a fixed diaphragm spaced intermediate the piston and the needle, an axial tubular member joining said piston and said needle whereby all move as a single unit, the capped end and the movable piston dening one end chamber, the needle and the fixed diaphragm defining the other end chamber and said piston and said diaphragm deninga central chamber, continuous means for escapement of air or gas from each of said chambers, but said means with respect to the central chamber being triangulark in shape'and adapted to substantially reduce in area restricting escapement asthe'needle nears itsseat, ports formed through said tubular member into each ofA said end chambers, said chambers being adapted to receive pressure for actuating the valve, the closing .movement being obtained by admitting pressure fluid to the end chambers which communicate freely by means of said `movable ported `tubular member and decreasing the pressurein the noncommmunicating central chamber and the opening movementY being obtained in a vice versa manner. l Y

5. Apressure operated valve comprising a valve housing and a concentrically spaced Valve assem- 'bly including axed capped cylindrical member,

all move as a single unit, the capped end and the movable piston defining one end chamber, the needle and the xed diaphragm defining the other end chamber, and'said piston and said diaphragm dening a central chamber, continuous means vfor escapement of air or gas from each of said chambers but said means with respect to the central chamber, being triangular in shape with the apex pointed toward the needle seat and adapted to substantially reduce in area restricting escapement as the needle nears its seat, ports formed in said tubular member communicating with said end chambers, said chambers being adapted to receive pressure for actuating the valve, the closing movement being obtained by admitting pressure fluid to the end chambers which communicate freely by means of said movable ported tubular member and decreasing the pressure in the noncommunicating centralchamber and the opening movement being obtained in a vice Versa manner,

6. A needle valve for controlling the flow of liquid through la housing, including an inner housing member surrounding a'needle, a tubular body xed centrally to said needle, a cylindrical Wall fixed peripherally to said needle and slidably within said inner housing member, a piston xed to said tubular body, a stationary diaphragm slidably surrounding said tubular body between said piston and said needle, a chamber end fixed to said housing and to said inner housing and arranged to form with said piston and said inner khousing a chamber, ports disposed through said tubular body whereby 'said chamber and a chamber constituted by said tubular body, said needle, said cylindrical Wall, said inner housing, and said stationary diaphragm may communicate freely, said stationary diaphragm, said inner housing, said tubular body, and-said piston defining therebetween a chamber non-communicating with respect tothe other cham-bers.

` 7. A needle valve substantially as described in claim 6, wherein said needle is of substantially smaller diameter than said piston.

8. A needle valve for controllingV the flow of liquid therearound, said valve having three pressure chambers defined by a needle, a fixed diaphragm, a piston head of substantially greater` ldiameter than said needle, and a stationary capped cylindrical member, wherein, said xed diaphragm and piston separate the vcenter one of said cham-bers'from the end ones of said chambers; an apertured, movable tubular member providing free intercommunication between said end chambers, said center chamber being non-communicating with respect to said end chambers.

9. A needle valve for controlling the new of liquid therearound having therein a central and tWo end pressure chambers formed by a needle, a xed diaphragm, a piston head of substantially greater diameter than said needle, and a stationary capped cylindrical member, a tubular member slidably disposed through said xed diaphragm and Xed to said piston head and. said needle for movement as a unit, ports in said tubular member permitting communication therethrough between said end chambers, and means for maintaining said central chamber non-communicating with respect to said end chambers.

10. A pressure operated Valve comprising a Valve housing and a concentrically spaced valve assembly including a fixed capped cylindrical member, a movable needle adapted for sliding movement Within said cylindrical member, a piston positioned Within the end of said cylindrical member opposite said needle and adapted for movement within said cylindrical member, a fixed diaphragm spaced intermediate the piston and the needle, an axial tubular member fjoining said piston and said needle for unitary movement, said capped member `and the movable piston dening `an end chamber, the needle and the xed diaphragm dening another end. chamber and said piston and said diaphragm defining a central chamber non-communicating With respect to said end chambers, ports through said tubular member communicating said end chambers, the closing movement being obtained by admitting pressure fluid to the end chambers Which communicate freely by means of said movable ported tubular member and decreasingthe pressure in 

